Rise of Islam
In which two cities did Islam first develop?
Mecca and Medina
How many times a day are Muslims required to pray?
Five times a day
On how many continents did Islam spread within 100 years of Muhammad’s death?
Three (Africa, Asia, Europe)
What is the name of the famous Islamic medical text used in Europe for 7 centuries?
The Canon of Medicine
What empire had been in decline before the Ottomans conquered Constantinople?
The Byzantine Empire
Who founded the religion of Islam?
The Prophet Muhammad
Which pillar of Islam involves giving to the poor and needy?
Almsgiving (Zakat)
Why did the Arabian Peninsula’s location help Islam spread so quickly?
It was at the center of major trade routes connecting Africa, Asia, and Europe
Who wrote almost 450 books on philosophy, science, and medicine?
Avicenna (Ibn Sīnā)
What new technologies helped the Ottomans conquer Constantinople?
Cannons and muskets
What is the name of the holy book that contains the messages Muhammad received from God?
The Qur’an
What is the first pillar of Islam, the declaration of faith?
There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet
Name two non-military factors that helped the rapid spread of Islam.
Trade networks and pilgrimage (Hajj)
What famous Islamic structure in Jerusalem reflects the religion’s architectural achievements?
The Dome of the Rock
Who were the elite soldiers loyal to the sultan, often Christian converts?
The Janissaries
What were two key factors that made Mecca and Medina important locations for the rise of Islam?
They were major trade and religious centers
During which month do Muslims fast, and why is this practice important in Islam?
During the holy month of Ramadan — it is one of the Five Pillars and is a time of religious devotion and shared practice
Which caliph moved the Islamic capital to Damascus, and what region did Muslim forces conquer soon after?
Mu’awiyah moved the capital to Damascus, and Muslim forces conquered the Berbers in North Africa and crossed into Spain
Name two academic fields Islamic scholars preserved and expanded from earlier civilizations.
Greek and Roman knowledge in fields like philosophy and science
Which leader ruled during the Ottoman Empire’s golden age and was known as “The Lawgiver”?
Suleiman the Magnificent
How did Muhammad’s leadership and teachings contribute to uniting the Arabian Peninsula under Islam?
He provided a common faith, legal system, and sense of community that unified tribes
Why are daily customs and traditions (like prayer and Sunna) essential in Islamic communities?
They provide structure, unity, and a shared way of life for Muslims
In what year and at which battle were Muslim forces stopped from advancing further into Europe?
In 732 CE at the Battle of Poitiers by Charles Martel
How did the Islamic legal system (shari’a) influence civilization?
It unified large regions under a shared set of religious and legal principles
How did the Ottoman policy of religious tolerance help maintain control over their diverse empire?
They allowed Jews and Christians to continue practicing their religions, which promoted loyalty, reduced resistance, and helped unify their multi-ethnic empire